They are so flavorful! The combination of cream cheese, cheddar, parmesan, garlic and bacon is amazing. These little savory appetizers are so delicious! A mixture of cheeses, spices, and crumbled bacon - why wouldn’t they be? When I entertain, I like to start the evening off with a few simple party appetizers and cocktails. Ideally, the appetizers can be made in advance and I can serve them at room temperature. So these cheese balls are perfect!
Ingredients
You’ll only need a few ingredients to make this tasty appetizer. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:
Cream cheese: I use full-fat cream cheese in this recipe.Shredded cheddar: I like to use sharp or even extra-sharp cheese.Grated Parmesan: Make sure you use finely grated parmesan and not coarsely shredded - there’s a difference.To season: I like to use kosher salt, black pepper, dried parsley, and cayenne pepper.Minced garlic: You can also use garlic powder (just ½ teaspoon).Bacon: I use store-bought bacon bits. If you’d like, you can cook bacon until crispy and crumble it very finely.
Instructions
This is a truly easy recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making these cheese balls:
You start by mixing together some softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, and spices.Next, briefly freeze the mixture to make it easier to work with.Form the mixture into balls and roll them in crumbled bacon. That’s it!
Expert tip
Freezing the mixture briefly before shaping the balls makes it much easier to shape them. Make sure to freeze it in a shallow layer so that the mixture sets evenly. The edges will still be harder than the center. Even after freezing the mixture, shaping the balls is a bit messy, but not too bad. You can always use disposable gloves. Personally, I don’t bother.
Frequently asked questions
Variations
Here are a few ideas for varying the basic recipe:
Use smoked cheddar or smoked gouda instead of regular cheddar.Garlic powder can successfully replace the fresh garlic in this recipe. Try using ½ teaspoon.Experiment with different spices and herbs! While I like to use dried parsley and cayenne, other tasty options include dried oregano, dried thyme, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and onion powder.
Serving suggestions
I like to serve these cheese balls as party appetizers, alongside other make-ahead snacks and appetizers such as honey-roasted nuts, deviled eggs, parmesan crisps, and homemade pork rinds. The leftovers work well as a quick snack. I even like them for my lunch, making myself a plate of them plus a salad or some cut-up veggies.
Storing leftovers
You can store the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to four days. They keep very well and taste great even on the fourth day. Do remember to take them out of the fridge 30 minutes before you plan on serving them, to allow them to get to room temperature. Some foods are simply not very good when chilled. Cheese and chocolate are prime examples. You can also freeze the leftovers. Start by placing them on a parchment-lined large sheet or tray. Place in the freezer for 1-2 hours, until they are frozen, then transfer them to a freezer bag. You can keep them in the freezer for up to three months.
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